The Algonkian Lacrosse Club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, based out of Loudoun County, VA, run by Volunteers to provide the children of the Dominion, Park View and Potomac Falls HS clusters the opportunity to learn and play lacrosse.

Practice will begin in early March, as soon as Loudoun County releases fields to Algonkian Lacrosse. Here's theschedule for the Spring 2017 NVYLL season...

Why do Algonkian registration fees escalate as they get closer to the start of the Spring season?

Algonkian Lacrosse is a non-profit organization and does its very best to keep registration costs as low as possible. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of registering early... it allows us to budget for equipment, coaches, uniforms, etc. In addition, our NVYLL teams must be submitted by late February, so we really need to know who's playing as soon as possible. Compound that with the fact that 80% of our players are returning players, so odds are, the vast majority know their kids are going to play months in advance... but for whatever reason, delay registering the children.

The Standard rate is our base cost. The idea is we absolutely need to know how many teams we are entering in NVYLL in late February. Once we pass this milestone, we effectively have to cap registration, because the NVYLL will not allow us to enter any more teams.

**Tribe offers an early bird discount for those that register before January 1, 2017.

What is Lacrosse?

HELP!!! I'm new to lacrosse... What do my kids need?

Please keep in mind that boys and girls lacrosse are actually two different sports...

Lacrosse sticks can cost anywhere from $30 to $200. Don't be intimidated... unless your child is a freak of nature, ready to step on the field and play Division I collegiate ball as a 3rd grader, a $30-$50 stick is what you are looking for.

*** Boys Protective Equipment can be bought New (at Dicks, Play It Again Sports, Sports Authority, Madlax, Lacrosse Unlimited, etc.), Used (at Play It Again Sports) or for beginners, rented from Algonkian Lacrosse. Purchasing new, many vendors sell starter kits (Shoulder Pads, Gloves and Arm Pads) for around $80. Helmets run about $110.

Drop us a line at
if you need advice regarding what to choose...

Why Women’s Lacrosse is Not Played With Additional Protective Equipment

Four guiding principles form the foundation of women’s lacrosse:

Honor the origins of the game

Commitment to the core values

Maintain relevance of the game today and in the future

Respect all participants.

Respecting these guiding principles, the game today continues to be one of finesse and speed, using minimum equipment and prohibiting intentional body contact. Since 1931, the rules for women’s lacrosse as written by the United States Women’s Lacrosse Association (1931-1998) and US Lacrosse (1999- present) have evolved to maintain the spirit of the game and to ensure the safety of the players at all levels.

The women’s game is different than the men’s game. In terms of its history, rules, penalties for contact and equipment – it’s different enough that some leaders in the game have even offered that women’s lacrosse would be better served if it was not even called lacrosse at all.

Women’s lacrosse is a safe sport. The women’s game has been played in the United States without helmets since 1913 and until 6 years ago, without any protective equipment. It is one the fastest growing youth sports for girls. According to the NFHS’ Concussion Rates by Sport and Type of Exposure, 2008-09 High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study, women’s lacrosse ranks 5th for head/face injuries behind soccer, basketball, softball and field hockey – the lowest rate amongst all field sports reviewed and 3rd for concussions behind soccer and basketball.

Helmets do not prevent concussions. But for those who want additional protection on the field, according to the US Lacrosse rulebook, women are permitted to wear soft helmets – which may help lessen the severity of head trauma and facial lacerations. More comprehensive and conclusive research is needed in the area of concussion prevention in youth sports, in order to make the case for additional rule changes that include more protective equipment in women’s lacrosse.

Additional protective equipment does not address the unsafe playing conditions that manifest when inconsistently trained coaches and umpires are on the field teaching and enforcing the rules of women’s lacrosse. No helmet will change the fact that no state association in the country requires sport-specific coaching education training for high school level coaches or mandates that high school assignors use only US Lacrosse trained umpires on the field.

All players shall register with the NVYLL club that represents their local public high school pyramid as determined by their residence regardless of the actual school they attend. Algonkian Lacrosse Club serves Dominion, Park View, and Potomac Falls high school clusters.

One-Year Waivers may be granted if: (1) the home club cannot accommodate the player because registration is closed; (2) the appropriate age division is full at the home club; or, (3) the home Club is not fielding an "A" team for which the player qualifies.

The official result of any game played with an illegal player shall be a forfeit by the team adding the illegal player(s) and that team may be barred from post-season play.

Should I Buy or Rent Equipment for my Son?

Three different approaches to consider... Rent, Buy Used, Buy New

Renting - $75 / season

Buying Used - About $100 for helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads and gloves

Buying New - Around $180 for starter equipment; Algonkian has a limited amount of rental equipment. No guarantees that we'll have enough for everyone, first come/first served with an emphasis on first year players. (to encourage the growth of the sport)

Buying Used can be a good approach. Play It Again Sports in Leesburg sells used equipment.

Buying New, the risk of course is the outlay and your son decides he doesn't want to play again. I'd offset this with the fact that Algonkian likes to sponsor used equipment sales at the end of the year. Worst case scenario, you could sell your equipment there or to Play It Again Sports, and get some of your money back.

Bottom line... if you think you son is going to play for more than a year, it definitely makes sense to buy your own equipment. Two Spring seasons is roughly the break even point.

There are a couple aspects to this decision that are critical to consider...

Your choices are not necessarily mutually exclusive.. It may make a lot of sense to play for both clubs. (see below)

Algonkian Lacrosse guarantees playing time, while NPYLL teams do not. The Northern Virginia Youth Lacrosse League (NVYLL) mandates that all players participate in at least 25% of the game. There are no playing time guidelines in the NPYLL.

The core intent of the two leagues differ... Algonkian concentrates on developing players from the beginner level and having the children play together in preparation for high school play. NPYLL clubs are designed to be traveling all star teams, exposing elite players to the best competition in Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area.

The best advice that we can give is carefully evaluate you child's situation, abilities, maturity before making your decision. Speak to your child's previous coach(es) in order to get an unbiased evaluation. Research the NPYLL clubs and understand how they operate. Are they a non-profit organization? What is there position regarding players participating on multiple teams? How often do they practice? Where? When? Is your child ready to make the jump to NPYLL? Are you prepared to make the time & monetary commitment? How is your child going to react to the possibility getting little or no playing in a game?

The safest route is to register for Algonkian Lacrosse. This will guarantee a club that your child can play on this Spring. Worst case scenario, your child makes a NPYLL club, you choose not to also play for Algonkian, you request a refund prior to March 15th and it costs you a $16 processing fee. Keep in mind NPYLL clubs have tryouts and your child must make the club. There is no guarantee here... this is a highly competitive league. Some of the NPYLL clubs state that their club should be treated as a "second sport" that supplements the NVYLL clubs (such as Algonkian). Other Clubs may expect your son to fully commit to their Club and attends all practices and games. Please fully understand the situation and let your Algonkian coach know of your status so he/she can plan accordingly.

Can players play up or down in an age group level?

Algonkian requires all boys and girls to play within their actual age group. We offer A-level play within each age division (Boys 8U and above; Girls 3/4 and above), so there is ample opportunity for advanced play in all age divisions. This is consistent with other youth lacrosse clubs. There are travel tounament clubs available if you are interested in an even higher level of play, beyond a youth rec club. Playing "down" is never permitted by the NVYLL Executive Board.

When are games?

Boy’s are typically Saturday and Girl’s Sunday afternoon, although with increasing demands on Northern VA fields, anticipate games on Saturdays or Sundays. Times vary.

Where are games played?

Home games are played in Sterling. Our game fields are located at Claude Moore Park and Seneca Ridge MS. Away game location is dependent upon the opponent but in Northern Virginia

When is the first practice?

The first team practices will be late February / early March. This depends on when the county allows us to use their fields, as well as favorable weather conditions.

When is the first game?

The first game will be Saturday, March 25th for boys and Sunday, March 26th for girls.

When are practices held?

Practices are 2 or 3 times a week, in the late afternoon to early evening. Days and times are dependant upon county field allocation, coaches’ preference, and day light hours available. Practice schedule will not be decided upon until the week before practice begins.